MLL to Host 2013 All-Star Game in Charlotte

BOSTON, Mass. (Thursday, July 26, 2012) – Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, announced Thursday it will host the 2013 MLL All-Star Game on July 13, 2013 at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., according to MLL Commissioner David Gross. The stadium is home to the Charlotte Hounds, a 2012 MLL expansion team. This will mark the first time Major League Lacrosse will host a league special event in Charlotte.

“We are very pleased to bring the All-Star Game to Charlotte,” said Gross. “In their first season, the Hounds have energized lacrosse fans in the Carolinas through grassroots marketing, first class game operations and a roster of perennial All-Stars. Charlotte will be an exciting destination for our marquee event next year.”

“Having the MLL All-Star Game in Charlotte next year is a huge opportunity for us to showcase all that is great about lacrosse, MLL, Charlotte and the Hounds,” said Hounds President and Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy. “It will be a big weekend celebration with the best players in the world coming to Charlotte. Hopefully, this event will expose the sport of lacrosse to many new fans from around the Carolinas.”

The 2013 MLL All-Star Game will revisit the 2011 format in which two ultimate fans will get to play General Manager and pick their fantasy All-Star teams on Friday night of All-Star weekend. They will serve as honorary captains and will be taking part in all team activities during the course of the weekend..

Charlotte Hounds defenseman Ryan Flanagan, a 2012 All-Star, will host the MLL All-Star Youth Tournament in conjunction with weekend’s events. Youth teams from around the country will have an opportunity to compete in a jamboree style tournament taking place the Saturday and Sunday of All-Star weekend. They will also be able to take part in the pre-event festivities Friday night which include special All-Star player clinics and viewing the selection process of the teams by the winners of the Ultimate Fan Fantasy Contest.

Tickets for the 2013 MLL All-Star Game are on sale now through the Charlotte Hounds. Hounds 2013 Season Tickets will include the All-Star Game. Renewals confirmed by January 1, 2013 will be eligible to retain their regular Season Ticket seat for the MLL All-Star Game. To purchase tickets please call the Hounds at (704) 206-1515. Online ticketing will be available in the near future and all seating will be assigned after January 1, 2013 on a first purchase/best seat available process after Hounds Season Ticket renewals are confirmed.

About Major League Lacrosse

Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier professional outdoor lacrosse league, was founded by Jake Steinfeld and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Major League Lacrosse commenced play in June of 2001 and will enter its thirteenth season in 2013. MLL has continued to lead the sport of lacrosse into the mainstream of competitive team sports. The league is made up of eight teams: The Boston Cannons, Charlotte Hounds, Chesapeake Bayhawks, Denver Outlaws, Hamilton Nationals, Long Island Lizards, Ohio Machine and Rochester Rattlers.

The 2013 MLL Collegiate Draft will take place on January 11, 2013 in Philadelphia, PA. The 2013 season will commence on April 27, 2013. More information about the league can be found at www.majorleaguelacrosse.com ,Facebook or Twitter.

About the Charlotte Hounds

In January 2011, Major League Lacrosse announced a league expansion for the 2012 season that included Columbus, OH and Charlotte, NC. The team began play April 28, 2012 at historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. For more information, please visit http://www.charlottehounds.com

About American Legion Memorial Stadium

The American Legion Memorial Stadium (1936) was a direct result of substantial Federal assistance to local government and was the first municipal structure in Charlotte that could accommodate thousands of visitors. From the outset it became a venue for sporting, entertainment, and civic events that would have been impossible to hold. Over the years, a broad array of happenings have occurred at the Stadium, most notably football games – high school, collegiate, and for many years the Shrine Bowl from 1937 through 2000.